Delhi Pollution: Discussion on Lockdown Underway, Consulting with Centre, Says Kejriwal

The SC bench, also comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and Surya Kant said instead of blaming the farmers, all state governments and the Centre should come together to address the issue. The Chief Justice noted that stubble burning by farmers is only responsible for 25 per cent of the pollution, and the remaining 75 per cent was from firecracker burning, vehicles and dust. The Chief Justice asked Mehta, “Where is the effective mechanism to control firecrackers, vehicular pollution? Look at the pollution level,” to which the latter said that both the Centre and state governments are working together to address the issue.

A bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, that the “situation is very bad… In the house we are wearing masks. It is a bad situation”. “How to control air pollution in Delhi, two days lockdown, if need be, or what. How will people live in Delhi?” queried the Chief Justice. He emphasised that the government should look at steps to bring down the AQI from 500 to 200, and then further improve it.

The Supreme Court on Saturday took a serious view of the severe air pollution in Delhi-NCR and suggested that if needed the government can declare a two-day lockdown to bring down the levels, which have been caused by stubble burning, vehicles, firecrackers, industries, dust. The top court emphasised that the air pollution issue should be looked into “beyond politics and governments”.

Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said that virtual classes will continue in the city schools, adding that construction activities will also be shut down for four days — from November 14 to 17 as forecast is that there will be no wind and smoke caused by stubble burning will keep reaching Delhi. “We are closing down schools from Monday for one week so that our children don’t have to venture out of their homes and breath polluted air,” he said.

Of the world’s top 10 cities with the worst air quality, three, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai, are in India, data from air quality and pollution city tracking service from IQAir, a Switzerland-based climate group showed. While Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) at 556 made it to the top of the list, Kolkata and Mumbai recorded an AQI of 177 and 169, respectively, at fourth and sixth position, on the list.

Delhi’s air quality remained in the severe category for the third consecutive day on Saturday with the 24-hour average air quality index being recorded at 437, a marginal improvement from the day before. The air quality index of neighbouring Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, Greater Noida was recorded at 441, 441, 423, 464 and 408, respectively. In Delhi, the AQI of Anand Vihar, Jahangirpuri, Wazirpur, Okhla, Rohini and Narela stood at 450, 453, 452, 460, 427 and 414, respectively. The photo shows a view of the national capital shrouded in smog in New Delhi.

Amid ‘severe’ pollution levels in Delhi, CM Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday announced closing of schools from Monday, work from home for government offices and a ban on the construction activities in the national capital to curb pollution. “For a week from Monday onwards, schools will be physically closed’ to continue virtually so that children don’t have to breathe polluted air… Construction activities not to be allowed,” Kejriwal said. The ban on the construction activities in the national capital will remain between November 14-17. Read more

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday announced various emergency measures, including closure of schools for a week, ban on construction activities and work from home for government employees, to deal with the pollution crisis faced by the city. The chief minister, after an emergency meeting, told reporters that his government will also present a proposal for lockdown before the Supreme Court.

Arvind Kejriwal also announced that discussion on lockdown in Delhi is underway and necessary steps will be taken after consultation with the central government. “There was a suggestion in SC over complete lockdown in Delhi if (pollution) situation turns worse… We’re drafting a proposal which will be discussed with agencies and centre… If it happens, construction, vehicular movement will have to be stopped,” the Delhi Chief Minister said.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has announced that all government offices will work from home. He further announced that construction activities will be not allowed in the capital.

Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday announced that Schools in Delhi will be closed rom Monday. The state government has allowed only virtual classes.

Of the world’s top 10 cities with the worst air quality, three, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai, are in India, data from air quality and pollution city tracking service from IQAir, a Switzerland-based climate group showed. While Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) at 556 made it to the top of the list, Kolkata and Mumbai recorded an AQI of 177 and 169, respectively, at fourth and sixth position, on the list. The cities with the worst AQI indices also include Lahore, in Pakistan, and Chengdu, in China. Read More

The Supreme Court will asked Centre to mull a “two-day lockdown or something” as Delhi’s air quality neared ’emergency’ levels. CJI NV Ramana asked the government methods to reduce AQI from 500 at least by 200 points. A view of the Supreme Court of India, shrouded in smog, in New Delhi, on Saturday.

The air quality in Delhi remained in the ‘severe’ category on Saturday, with the AQI being recorded at 473. The air quality index of neighbouring areas of Noida and Gurgaon was recorded at 587 and 557 respectively.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called an emergency meeting to tackle severe air pollution in the city, with Supreme Court asking authorities to take immediate measures. The meeting, to be held at 5 pm, will be attended by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Health Minister Satyendar Jain, Environment Minister Gopal Rai and Delhi Chief Secretary, officials said.

Terming the rise in air pollution in Delhi-NCR an “emergency” situation, the Supreme Court asked the Centre and the Delhi government on Saturday to take immediate measures to improve the air quality and suggested steps such as stopping vehicles and clamping a lockdown in the national capital. The court said the situation of pollution is so bad that people are wearing masks inside their houses.

Speaking on the worsening situation of the air quality in the national capital, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said, “The Delhi government ran an anti-dust campaign and inspected 2,500 sites. We have begun the ‘Red Light On, Gaadi Off’ campaign for vehicle pollution. 550 people deployed to restrict bio-mass burning. Bio-decomposer is given to stop stubble burning.”

On Saturday morning, the overall air quality in Delhi was recorded in the “severe” category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 499 at 7:35am, according to the System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting Research (SAFAR). On Friday at 4pm, the AQI in the national capital was 471 due to over 4,000 farm fires, which played a major role in deteriorating the air quality levels across the Delhi-NCR. Read More

The Supreme Court will on Saturday asked Centre to mull a “two-day lockdown or something” as Delhi’s air quality neared ’emergency’ levels. CJI NV Ramana asked the government methods to reduce AQI from 500 at least by 200 points. “See, stubble burning has contributed part of it, rest is pollution in Delhi, particularly crackers, industries, dust etc. Take some urgent measures. If required think of two days of lockdown or something. How will people live?” the court said. Read More

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called for an emergency meeting at 5 pm. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain, Environment Minister Gopal Rai among others to be present in the meeting.